Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

Mariners Spring Training – Sunshine, Baseball & Good Beer

Today our very own Growler Guy provides some advice for beer hunting in the Phoenix area. Why? Because its that time of year when many people in the Pacific Northwest escape to the Valley of the Sun to enjoy Seattle Mariners Spring Training in Peoria, AZ. In fact, Growler Guy is there right now (as he is every year) enjoying some baseball and hunting for good beer. Among the other interesting things he has discovered, a new brewery founded by George Hancock (formerly the President, CEO and etc of Pyramid Breweries).

Spring Training baseball is something special. Not only is it an excuse to get out of the rain and cold, but it is baseball at its best. After all, it is just a game. The crowds are small, the grass is green, the skies are blue, the players are within reach. Autographs are easy. It has been many years since I went to Spring Training (Pictured: Kim and I at the ballpark in Peoria circa 2005). Back then the beer scene was dismal. It sounds like things have changed for the better and Growler Guy is there enjoying it. Lucky dog.

Beer and Baseball in the Valley of the Sun

by Growler Guy

The snow may still be coming down in the Northwest, but in Arizona the temperatures are in the 70’s and the smell of baseball is in the air. The teams have all reported to Arizona, and the Mariners are set to start the Cactus League schedule today (March 2nd) versus the Oakland A’s at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Each spring a lot of Mariners fans look to get away from the cold and gray weather to spend some time in the Valley of the Sun and enjoy Spring Training baseball. The games are fun, the weather is unbelievable and the access to player autographs is unparalleled. And what goes better with baseball than an ice cold craft beer? In my mind, nothing. So I wanted to give those Washington Craft Beer fans (and Mariners who are craft beer fans) a lay of the land in Arizona where they can enjoy a fine craft beer and drink local.

There are no bad seats at the Peoria Sports Complex. Just baseball.

I am as big of a craft beer as anyone out there, but I won’t pretend to know very much about what actually quantifies a good beer. I like it cold, I like it fresh and I usually like it best out of a growler. In all my travels, I’ve found there is nothing better than drinking a beer that was brewed locally.

So in this post I hope to share some of my favorite Arizona craft breweries and a few spots I would recommend checking out. For those that are lucky enough to come to spring training, I encourage you to drink local (responsibly of course) and support the Arizona craft beer scene.

Where to start…

I would first recommend doing some research on the web to find your way around the Arizona beer community. When I first started this post, I knew I was going to write about Four Peaks Brewery, Phoenix Ale Brewery and San Tan Brewery. What I didn’t know was that there were a lot more breweries around, and the Arizona Brewers Guild did a great job of pointing that out. The first thing you see on their website is a map of all the Arizona breweries, which was very helpful.

In doing research, I reached out to several local breweries and had them answer a small list of questions. My intent is to share some fun information about a few of the breweries, where they are located, happy hour specials, growler fill prices, what they consider their flagship beer to be and I may even throw in some of my own commentary and experiences. Here is what I found and the places I recommend visiting…

The Phoenix Ale Brewery

A new brewery to Arizona, Phoenix Ale Brewery opened their doors last summer. I had the chance to visit their shiny new facility and taste some of their beers, and walked away very impressed. This is a must-visit destination for craft beer fans visiting the Valley. And the brewery has some great Washington ties. Pyramid founder George Hancock and 17-year industry veteran Greg Fretz (who has worked for Pyramid & Deschutes) started Phoenix Ale Brewery. I tried their three of their beers and enjoyed all of them, especially the very refreshing Watermelon Ale and Camelback IPA.

The Welcoming Committee at Phoenix Ale Brewery.

The lowdown on Phoenix Ale Brewery:

Hours and Happy Hour Specials

Open Monday-Saturday from Noon-7pm with no Happy Hour specials. They are considering a spring training special and would love to see all baseball fans at the brewery. Just ask for Greg and say “Go Mariners.”

Family Friendly?

The brewery is very kid friendly and the tasting room is 1,500 square feet & includes foosball, darts, music & television.

The Phoenix Ale Brewery specializes in English Style Unfiltered Ales. Arizona craft beer is young in development. They are Arizona’s newest craft brewery (the 26th Arizona brewery), and the flagship beer is Fretzy’s Unfiltered Ale (English Style Pale).

Growler Fills?

Amber colored growlers with their sweet logo are available for $15 (includes first fill) and it is $9 for a refill. They have been sold out due to popularity, but are hoping to get some more in. Their growlers are also available with the new imperial porter at Whole Foods locations in the Valley.

Beer and Baseball?

They have a partnership with both the Peoria Sports Complex & Tempe Diablo Stadium. So if you are going to a Mariners, Padres or Angels home game, you can pick up Fretzy’s Unfiltered Ale in both draft & 22oz bottles.

Where To Buy?

Phoenix Ale Brewery can be found in bottles (6 packs and 22 oz bottles) at Total Wine, BevMo, Whole Foods, AJ’s& Costco. They are also on tap at several bars in the Phoenix area.

Four Peaks Brewery

Let me start by saying that this very well could be my favorite place, ever, to grab a burger and a beer…especially on a hot day. When I lived in Arizona I did not know much about craft beer, but I did know about Four Peaks. For those visiting Arizona, a stop in the Tempe location is a must. Every time I am in the East Valley, Four Peaks is at the very top of the list. They have great beer, great food and great atmosphere with inside dining, a huge bar and one of the best outdoor patios in Phoenix. The Tempe location sits on the edge of the Arizona State University campus and is full of the energy associated with a college town. The North Scottsdale location offers the same menu, same great beers, but is located in a strip mall. Either way, you can’t go wrong with SunbruKolsch Style Ale or their signature Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Ale.

As an added bonus, the Gin Blossoms have their recording studio right next door.

Four Peaks sampler.

The lowdown on Four Peaks Brewery:

Hours and Happy Hour Specials

They run a pretty good Happy Hour (Tempe: 2pm-6pm Daily/Scottsdale 3pm-7pm Daily), with $3.25 pints and $12 pitchers.

Family Friendly?

Both locations are family friendly, with children allowed with parent or legal guardian until 10 p.m.

What to Eat?

Four Peaks not only does beer well, but also food. They serve more than your typical bar fare. Aside from staples like burgers and pizza’s the menu also includes pasta dishes, Mexican dishes and an ever changing array of daily Lunch and Dinner Specials.

What Makes This a Must Stop Brewery?

Established in 1996 located in a 19th Century warehouse that was once home to the Pacific Creamery, Four Peaks Brewery also seems to exude that same charm of an earlier time. Little has been done to alter the look of this Mission Revival style building and it shows. For 15 years, Four Peaks has cultivated quite a following for both beer enthusiasts and folks who crave something a little different from what a traditional chain restaurant has to offer.

Growler Fills?

Their colorful logo etched on the amber growler run $14 (including first fill) and refills are $10.

Beer and Baseball?

Sadly, Four Peaks will not be available in any of the Cactus League stadiums, but you can pick up bottles and cans of their excellent brew at most restaurants and grocery stores.

SanTan Brewing Company

SanTan is a bit of a hike from the home of Mariners spring training in Peoria, but it is widely available across the Valley in cans at most grocery stores. I have visited their location in charming downtown Chandler, and highly recommend stopping out that way if you find your way in the East Valley. I have found all of their beers to be very refreshing (at least the ones I’ve tried) and often look at their awesome canned collection first when in a grocery store down here.

The lowdown on SanTan Brewing:

Hours and Happy Hour Specials

SanTan knows good beer…and apparently they know the value of a good Happy Hour as well! HH runs Monday-Friday 2-6 p.m. featuring $3.75 pints of any of their handcrafted pints. They also have specials on guest brewery drafts. $6 Selected appetizers including favorites like SanTan Slingers – crispy wonton shell stuffed with jalapeno peperjack and bacon or Brewhouse Nachos with smoked Cochinita Pork Pibil. They also have special deals on Sunday’s, so be sure to check out their website.

Family Friendly?

Their restaurant and brewery is family friendly.

What to Eat?

SanTan offers a delicious array of food on their menu with a southwestern feel. We give two thumbs up to the Chips and Dip Trio.

What Makes This a Must Stop Brewery?

Pale Ales and hoppy beers are also very popular in the Grand Canyon State, and SanTan delivers some of the best around. SanTan’s flagship beer is called Devil’s Ale which you have tasted and is a West Coast style pale Ale! According to their brewer, the biggest Arizona trait SanTan embodies in their beers is that they are designed for the very hot weather and a characteristic of all the brews is that they are very crisp and refreshing with a clean finish. SanTan also offers a lot of seasonal beers, including the current seasonal, Sex Panther Double Chocolate Porter.

Growler Fills?

Growler fills are $11.

Beer and Baseball?

Their beer will be available in many of the Cactus League stadiums, but have not finalized the details just yet. To find where to get their beer, use the SanTan Beer Detective.

Where To Buy?

You can find their beer in cans in almost any of the local grocery stores and at a lot of restaurants. One of my favorite spring pastimes is enjoying an ice cold Devil’s Ale while sitting outside eating pizza at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.

So, those are the three breweries that I’ve visited in Arizona, but there are many more options down here that you can visit to get a local taste for the Arizona beer scene. I apologize to any place I’ve left out, as it is impossible to name every place that serves up fine craft beer. Here are some additional places I would recommend:

Located pretty close to the airport and near the Tempe/Scottsdale border, this place has the look and feel of Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle. They feature a 30 tap bar where the line-up changes daily plus a beer engine for cask conditioned ales; showcasing the Southwest and serving the finest microbrews as well as great classic beers from around the world. Papago also has an awesome selection of bottled beer, combining a bottle shop and bar all-in-one. And their menu is pretty good as well.

I know what you are thinking…a grocery store, really? First off, I am a huge fan of Whole Foods in general, and this place blew me away. They had a total section of their store devoted to cold local beer (you’ll notice a lot of Arizona breweries use cans like 7 Seas, Two Beers and Hilliard’s in Washington), growlers of Phoenix Ale Brewery Imperial Porter and get this, a full bar with 30 taps. Yes, a grocery store with 30 taps (and really good taps at that), with 8 devoted to local Arizona breweries. I don’t know if it gets much better than this. Check it out if you are in North Scottsdale, right off the Loop 101 on Scottsdale Road/Mayo Boulevard.

There are four locations in Arizona, including one just down the road from the Peoria Sports Complex in Glendale (by the hockey arena and football stadium). Seattleites are probably familiar with this brewery/restaurant for their Pacific Place location. This is a great place to get food and good beer, very close by. They specialize in traditional German beers that are clean, drinkable lagers. And don’t forget the garlic fries!

Another chain restaurant/brewery that Seattleites are probably familiar with locations in downtown Seattle and Bellevue.There are two locations in Arizona, one in Glendale which is almost walking distance from Peoria Stadium.

And if you are down in Arizona, and looking for a day trip, there are a few good options that involve craft beer (responsibly of course). The beautiful red rocks of Sedona are a two hour drive North on I-17, and offers Oak Creek Brewing, and you can stop at Prescott Brewing on your way back to the Valley. And the city of Flagstaff is just over two hours away (138 miles) and has three highly-recommended breweries (Mother Road, Lumberyard, Beaver Street).

And here are a few of my food recommendations if you make it down this way:

La Grande Orange Grocery – Great breakfast food, coffee and pastries. The atmosphere of this place is off the charts, and I find myself visiting this place as much as possible.

Los Dos Molinos – If you want authentic New Mexico style cuisine, and the best margaritas in town, you have to check out this place in South Phoenix.

Richardson’s – The original spot burned down a few years ago, but they have resurfaced and from what I’ve heard better than ever. You can also get their menu at the Rokerij and Dick’s Hideway.

Sakana Sushi (Glendale) – Frequented by a lot of the Mariners (which should tell you something), this is the best sushi in town and has a very relaxing atmosphere.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria–The best New York-style pizza I have ever had and has a nice patio for the pleasant Arizona spring weather. Peoria location is located just south of the Mariners spring training complex.

Oregano’s – There are 11 Arizona locations of this neighborhood Italian joint. Great pizza and pasta, and ice cold beer on tap. I highly recommend the Big Rig Pasta with chicken…and there will be plenty of leftovers.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.